U.S. patent number 4,777,478 [Application Number 07/046,393] was granted by the patent office on 1988-10-11 for apparatus for monitoring persons or the like.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Gordon S. Hirsch, Marilyn F. Hirsch. Invention is credited to Paul W. Hansen, Gordon S. Hirsch, Marilyn F. Hirsch.
United States Patent |
4,777,478 |
Hirsch , et al. |
October 11, 1988 |
Apparatus for monitoring persons or the like
Abstract
The present invention discloses an apparatus for monitoring
persons, pets, things and the like including a monitored unit and a
monitoring unit each having a transmitter and receiver. The
monitored unit is adapted to transmit a periodic signal while the
activities of the monitored object coincide with various threshold
conditions. The monitored unit includes a plurality of indicators
either visual or audio which inform the operator that the monitored
unit has exceeded various threshold conditions. The monitoring unit
includes a reset transmitter for actuating the monitored unit so
that it produces either a continuous signal or a periodic signal.
The monitoring unit further includes a homing mechanism
automatically actuated upon receipt of either a continuous signal
or an alarm signal by its receiver. The monitored unit includes a
plurality of sensing switches for informing the operator of the
monitoring unit that either the monitored object has energized a
manual actuation alarm, someone has tired to remove the monitored
unit from the monitored object or the monitored unit has been
immersed in water.
Inventors: |
Hirsch; Gordon S. (Skokie,
IL), Hirsch; Marilyn F. (Skokie, IL), Hansen; Paul W.
(Downers Grove, IL) |
Assignee: |
Hirsch; Gordon S. (Skokie,
IL)
Hirsch; Marilyn F. (Skokie, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
21943212 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/046,393 |
Filed: |
May 6, 1987 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/573.3;
340/521; 340/539.1; 340/539.15; 340/539.31; 340/573.4; 379/38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B
19/00 (20130101); G08B 21/0202 (20130101); G08B
25/016 (20130101); G08B 25/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
21/00 (20060101); G08B 21/04 (20060101); G08B
19/00 (20060101); G08B 25/10 (20060101); G08B
019/00 (); G08B 025/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/539,517,521,568,573,693,691 ;379/38 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Swann, III; Glen R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Shlesinger Arkwright &
Garvey
Claims
We claim:
1. An apparatus for monitoring persons, pets, things or the like,
comprising:
(a) at least first and second units;
(b) said first unit including signal generating means for producing
a plurality of signals;
(c) said plurality of signals including a periodic signal and a
continuous signal;
(d) said first unit further including transmitting means operably
associated with said signal generating means for transmitting said
plurality of signals;
(e) said second unit including a first receiving means for
receiving said plurality of signals transmitted by said
transmitting means of said first unit;
(f) said second unit further including means operably associated
with said first receiving means for comparing at least one of said
plurality of signals with at least a first threshold condition;
(g) said periodic signal being transmitted while said at least
first threshold condition is met;
(h) said second unit including at least a first indicating means
for informing an operator that said at least first threshold
condition has been exceeded; and
(i) said second unit including means for activating said
transmitting means for said first unit, when said first threshold
condition is exceeded, for producing said continuous signal.
2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:
(a) said first unit is a monitored unit, and
(b) said second unit is a monitoring unit.
3. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:
(a) said signal generating means includes a cycle time operably
connected to a first input of a first logic gate;
(b) said cycle timer includes means for producing said periodic
signal; and
(c) said periodic signal is an unmodulated carrier signal.
4. An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein:
(a) said signal generating means further includes a bistable
multivibrator operably connected to a second input of said first
logic gate;
(b) said bistable multivibrator produces a first low output and a
second high output;
(c) said first low output is continuous and produced while the
threshold condition is met; and
(d) said second high output is produced when said threshold
condition is exceeded.
5. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein:
(a) said first logic gate is an OR gate;
(b) said OR gate has a continuous output when said bistable
multivibrator produces said second high output; and
(c) said OR gate has a periodic output when said bistable
multivibrator produces said first low output.
6. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:
(a) said signal generating means includes switch means;
(b) said switch means being operably connected to at least a first
logic gate;
(c) said first logic gate is a NOT gate;
(d) said switch means is operably connected to the input of said
NOT gate; and
(e) said NOT gate produces a high output when said switch is in an
open position.
7. An apparatus as in claim 6, wherein:
(a) said output of said NOT gate is operably connected to a first
input of a second logic gate.
(b) said second logic gate is an OR gate;
(c) means operably associated with a second input of said OR gate
for maintaining a continuous output from said OR gate although said
switch means has been closed after opening thereof.
8. An apparatus for monitoring persons, pets, things or the like,
comprising:
(a) at least a first monitored unit;
(b) a monitoring unit for monitoring said at least first monitored
unit for determining whether at least one of a plurality of alert
conditions is present;
(c) said at least first monitored unit including transmitting means
for transmitting a plurality of signals;
(d) said monitoring unit including a receiving means for receiving
said plurality of signals;
(e) said plurality of alert conditions including a first condition
wherein said monitored unit has exceeded a predetermined distance
from said monitoring unit, a second condition wherein said
monitoring unit is not receiving a signal from at least one of said
monitored units, and a third alarm condition wherein an alarm is
activated;
(f) said monitoring unit further including means for analyzing said
plurality of signals for determining whether at least one of said
plurality of alert conditions is present;
(g) said monitoring unit including means for indicating to an
operator that at least one of said plurality of said alert
conditions is present; and
(h) said indicating means including means for readily informing the
operator precisely which alert condition has been activated.
9. An apparatus as in claim 8, wherein:
(a) said plurality of signals include a periodic signal, a
continuous signal and an alarm signal;
(b) said analyzing means includes a first timing means;
(c) said indicating means includes a first indicating member;
and
(d) said timing means is operably associated with said first
indicating member for informing the operator that said monitoring
unit has not received said periodic signal for a predetermined time
from said at least first monitored unit.
10. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein:
(a) said analyzing means includes at least a first comparator;
(b) means operably associated with a first input of said first
comparator for establishing a threshold condition;
(c) said receiving means is operably associated with a second input
of said first comparator for inputting an automatic gain control
signal thereto;
(d) said indicating means includes a second indicating member
operably associated with an output of said first comparator for
informing the operator that said automatic gain control signal has
fallen below said threshold condition and thus said monitored unit
has travelled beyond a predetermined distance.
11. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein:
(a) said threshold condition means includes means for varying said
threshold condition.
12. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein:
(a) said analyzing means includes a second timing means;
(b) said second timing means is operable to determine whether said
receiving means has received said continuous signal for a
predetermined time;
(c) homing means operably associated with said second timing means
for determining the location of said monitored unit; and
(d) means for activating said homing means when said second timer
receives said continuous signal for a predetermined period of
time.
13. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein:
(a) said indicating means includes a third indicating member for
informing the operator that said monitoring unit is in a search
mode when said second timing means has received a continuous signal
for a predetermined period of time.
14. An apparatus as in claim 13, wherein:
(a) said indicating means includes a fourth indicating member;
(b) said fourth indicating member being operably associated with
said receiving means for informing the operator upon receipt of
said alarm signal.
15. An apparatus for monitoring persons, pets, things or the like,
comprising:
(a) at least a first monitored unit;
(b) a monitoring unit for monitoring said at least first monitored
unit for determining whether at least one of a plurality of alert
conditions is present;
(c) said first monitored unit including a first transmitting means
for transmitting at least first and second signals;
(d) said monitoring unit including a first receiving means for
receiving said at least first and second signals;
(e) said monitoring unit further including means for analyzing said
at least first and second signals for determining whether at least
a first alert condition or a threshold condition is present;
(f) said first signal being transmitted when said threshold
condition is present;
(g) said second signal being transmitted when said at least first
alert condition is present;
(h) said at least first alert condition including a condition
wherein said monitored unit has exceeded a predetermined
distance;
(i) said monitoring unit including homing means for determining the
location of said monitored unit;
(j) said monitoring unit including means for differentiating
between said first and second signals, said differentiating means
being operably associated with said homing means; and
(k) said monitoring unit including activating means for
automatically energizing said homing means upon receipt of said
second signal by said receiving means.
16. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein:
(a) said monitoring unit includes a second transmitting means;
(b) said monitoring unit includes a second receiving means;
(c) said second transmitting means is operable to transmit a reset
signal when said at least first alert condition is present; and
(d) said monitored unit includes means operably associated with
said second receiving means whereby upon receipt of said reset
signal said monitored unit transmits said second signal.
17. An apparatus as in claim 16, wherein:
(a) said first alert condition is present when said monitored unit
has exceeded a predetermined distance between said monitoring and
said monitored units.
18. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein:
(a) said monitoring unit includes means for indicating to an
operator that said homing means has been energized.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring persons,
pets, things or the like. Specifically, an apparatus capable of
informing an operator that the activities of the object being
monitored have exceeded various threshold conditions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous devices have been developed to monitor the activities of
individuals in lieu of the growing concern of children being
abducted from their parents. The need for monitoring devices, in
this particular application, has arisen due to the fact that a
parent cannot watch his child every minute of every day and still
go about doing their daily tasks. Additionally, monitoring
apparatuses have been employed to monitor the whereabouts of
valuable cargo. Further, these devices have been implemented in
mental and correctional institutions where the need for monitoring
inmates is great due to the disproportional ratio of inmates to
institutional staff members. The following U.S. Pat. Nos. disclose
various devices for monitoring persons and the like: 3,336,530
Sloan et al; 3,810,146 Lieb; 4,121,160 Cataldo; 4,136,338 Antenore;
4,157,540 Oros; 4,300,129 Cataldo; 4,336,531 Kincaid; 4,399,432
Lunn; 4,593,273 Narcisse; 4,598,272 Cox. The monitoring apparatuses
disclosed in the aforementioned patents fall into two general
categories. The first category being devices that only transmit a
signal between the monitoring and monitored units when an
individual activates the device. These types of monitoring
apparatuses are very limited in their applications. The second
major category of monitoring apparatuses are those which provide a
continuous signal between the monitored and monitoring units. These
types of monitoring devices have been designed to only inform an
operator that an alarm condition is present and are unable to
inform the operator of the specific activities of the object which
resulted in the alarm condition. By providing only a single alarm
to inform the operator that a threshold condition has been
exceeded, these monitoring devices do not in any way limit the
possibilities which may have given rise to the alarm conditions.
Therefore, the parent or operator must consider all possibilities
as opposed to focusing on only a few specific possibilities. This
deficiency in the known monitoring apparatuses significantly reduce
the likelihood that the parent/operator will be able to locate the
monitored person or thing before it is to late. Further, the
continuous signal type monitoring apparatuses significantly drain
the power supply of the unit sending the signal. Thus, the
batteries or the like are required to be replaced frequently.
Additionally, the aforementioned monitoring apparatuses are unable
to readily locate the monitored person or thing once an alarm
condition has been triggered. Therefore, eventhough the operator is
informed that an alarm condition is present, he is given no clue as
to the direction to proceed in order to find the monitored
object.
Prior to the present invention, monitoring apparatuses have not
been able to monitor the specific activities of an object without
significantly draining the power supply of the apparatus.
Additionally, the prior art has been unable to inform the operator
as to the specific activity of the monitored person which led to
the alert condition or conditions. Finally, the aforementioned
apparatuses have been unable to provide an efficient method for
locating the monitored individual or the like once an alarm
condition has surfaced.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an
improved apparatus for monitoring persons, pets, things or the
like.
Another object of the invention is to provide a monitoring
apparatus of the continuous type which significantly reduces the
drain on the power supply.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for
monitoring persons, pets, things or the like that will enable the
operator to readily locate the monitored object once an alarm
condition has been triggered.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a monitoring
apparatus capable of monitoring a plurality of activities of the
monitored person including the relative distance of the monitored
person from the monitoring unit, whether the monitored unit is
still transmitting a signal, whether the monitored unit has been
removed from the object being monitored, whether the object being
monitored has been submersed into water, and whether the monitored
person has manually activated an alarm.
Another object of the invention is to provide a miniaturized
monitored unit in order that the monitored unit can be readily
concealed on the monitored object.
Another object of the invention is to provide a monitoring
apparatus with a directional locator or homing device that is
automatically activted upon receipt of an alarm signal or a
continuous signal.
A further object of the invention is to provide a monitoring
apparatus that will transmit an alarm signal under various
conditions and will maintain the alarm signal even though the
condition is no longer present until deliberately reset by the
operator of the monitoring unit.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a monitoring
apparatus for transmitting a periodic signal while threshold
conditions are present for prolonging the life of the power
supply.
In summary, the present invention discloses a novel apparatus for
monitoring persons, pets, things and the like that significantly
reduces the drain on the power supply of the monitoring apparatus,
informs the operator of the specific activity leading to the alarm
condition, and provides an efficient and effective method for
locating the monitored object once the alarm condition has been
triggered.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the monitored unit formed in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the monitoring unit formed in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic of the specific circuitry of the monitored
unit.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the circuitry of the monitoring
unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 through 4
The monitoring apparatus A formed in accordance with the present
invention includes a monitored unit B and a monitoring unit C. The
monitored unit B is placed on the object to be monitored and the
monitoring unit C is to be worn by the operator/individual
monitoring the activities of the monitored object.
The monitored unit B includes a digital logic board 2, a
transmitter 4, a receiver 6, and three sensing switches 8, 10, and
12. The transmitter 4, receiver 6, and switches 8, 10, and 12 are
electrically connected to digital logic board 2 by lines 14, 16, 18
and 20 respectively. Antennas 22 and 24 are operably associated
with transmitter 4 and receiver 6 respectively.
Referring to FIG. 3, the specifics of the digital logic board 2
will be hereinafter described. The digital logic board 2 consists
of a cycle timer 26 and a bistable multivibrator 28. The output of
the cycle timer 26 is operably connected to a first input of OR
logic gate 30. The output of bistable multivibrator 28 is operably
connected to the second input of OR gate 30. The output of OR gate
30 is directed to a first input of OR gate 32. The output of OR
gate 32 is connected to transmitter 4. The cycle timer 26 generates
a periodic signal. A preferable cycle time for the cycle timer 26
which drives the carrier signal is one second of signal broadcast
and fifteen seconds of quiescent or no signal broadcast.
The bistable multivibrator 28 generates a low and high output
depending upon the activation of the reset signal by the operator
of the monitoring unit. During normal operation, i.e., no
alarm/alert condition is present, the bistable multivibrator 28
generates a low output. In this state, the output of the OR gate 30
will track the periodic output of the cycle timer 26. Therefore,
the OR gate will have an output signal transmitted to OR gate 32
one second out of every sixteen seconds. It will be obvious to one
of ordinary skill in the art to vary the cycle time of the
unmodulated carrier signal produced by the cycle timer 26 to meet
the specific needs of the user. The monitoring unit C is adapted to
reset the bistable multivibrator such that it produces a continuous
high output. The specifics of the activating mechanism of the
monitoring unit C will be discussed more fully below. While the
bistable multivibrator is producing a continuous high output, the
output of OR gate 30 will be continuous resulting in OR gate 32
producing a continuous output. Thus, transmitter 4 will transmit a
continuous unmodulated carrier signal to the monitoring unit C.
The input of bistable multivibrator 28 is operably connected to the
receiver 6. Also, the input of NOT gate 34 is operably connected to
receiver 6 and is in parallel with bistable multivibrator 28. The
output of NOT gate 34 is directed to a first input of AND gate 36.
The output of AND gate 36 is electrically connected to a first
input of OR gate 38. The output of OR gate 38 is connected to the
second input of AND gate 36, the second input of OR gate 32, and
the transmitter 4. A high output from OR gate 38 activates the
modulation circuitry of the transmitter 4 for an alarm signal. The
output of NOT gate 40 is connected to the second input of OR gate
38. Sensing switches 8, 10, and 12 connected in series are
electrically connected to the input of NOT gate 40. Sensing
switches 8, 10 and 12 are connected in series. The cycle timer 26,
bistable multivibrator 28, and switches 8, 10, and 12 are connected
to a power source, not shown.
Referring to FIG. 2, the specifics of the monitoring unit C will be
hereinafter described. The monitoring unit C includes a digital
logic board 42 including visual indicators 44, 46, 48, and 50. It
will be readily appreciated that monitored unit B could be provided
with equivalent indicating mechanisms. A receiver 52 and a
transmitter 54 are electrically connected to digital logic board 42
via lines 53 and 55 respectively. Receiver 52 includes a
unidirectional antenna 56 and a directional antenna 58.
Unidirectional antenna 56 is adaptable to be operably connected to
transmitter 54. A directional meter 60 is connected to digital
logic board 42 via line 62. Buzzer or audio alarm 64 is connected
to digital logic board 42. Buzzer 64 includes deactivation switches
66 and 68.
Referring to FIG. 4, the specifics of the digital logic board 42
will be hereinafter described. Amplifier 72 is operably connected
to receiver 52. The receiver 52 directs the unmodulated carrier
signals, periodic and continuous, through amplifier 72. The output
of amplifier 72 is connected to the input of timer 74 and a first
input of AND gate 76. The output from timer 74 is connected to
indicator 44 and a first input of OR gate 80. Indicator 44 informs
the operator/attendant that the monitored unit is no longer
transmitting a signal. The output of OR gate 80 is directed through
amplifier 82.
Comparator 84 is operably connected to receiver 52 and compares the
automatic gain control signal with a preset mechanism 85. The value
of the preset mechanism 85 can be adjusted through a variable
resistor. The output of comparator 84 is connected to the second
input of AND gate 76. The output of AND gate 76 is connected to
indicator 46. Indicator 46 informs the attendant/operator that
monitored unit B has exceeded a predetermined distance range
relative to the monitoring unit C.
The output of amplifier 72 is further directed to the input of NOT
gate 88. The output of NOT gate 88 in turn is connected to the
input of timer 90. The output of timer 90 is directed to the first
input of OR gate 92. The output of OR gate 92 is in turn connected
to indicator 48 and amplifier 96. Indicator 48 informs the
operator/attendant that the monitoring unit C is in the search
mode. The output of amplifier 96 is connected to search relay 98.
Inverting amplifier 100 is operably associated with receiver 52 in
order to amplify the automatic gain control signal. The output of
inverting amplifier 100 is directed to directional meter 60.
Amplifier 106 is operably associated with receiver 52. Receiver 52
directs the modulated alarm signal transmitted by monitored unit B
to amplifier 106. Amplifier 106 amplifies the modulated signal and
directs it to indicator 50. The outputs of amplifiers 82, 106 and
108 are linked to audio alarm 64. Switches 66 and 68 enable the
operator to deactivate audio alarm 64.
OPERATION
The operation of the monitoring apparatus A of the present
invention will be hereinafter discussed. The monitoring apparatus A
operates under three basic modes including a normal operation mode,
an alarm/alert condition mode, and a search mode.
During normal operation of the monitoring apparatus A, the cycle
timer 26 of the monitored unit B produces a periodic carrier signal
and the bistable multivibrator 28 produces a low output.
Additionally, in the normal operation mode switches 8, 10, and 12
are closed thereby delivering a high output signal to NOT gate 40
which in turn will generate a low output to OR gate 38 resulting in
a zero output therefrom. Thus, the transmitter 4 will transmit a
periodic signal of the type produced by cycle timer 26. The
periodic signal will be received by the monitoring unit C via
receiver 52. Receiver 52 directs the periodic carrier signal to
amplifier 72. The amplified periodic signal is then directed to
timer 74. It will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to
vary the time period of the timer 74 to accommodate various needs
of an individual. In the preferred embodiment timer 74 has a twenty
second time interval. If a periodic signal is received within
twenty seconds, the timer 74 is reset. As previously stated, the
monitored unit B transmits a periodic carrier signal at least every
sixteen seconds. Thus, timer 74 will be continuously reset as long
as monitoring unit C receives the periodic carrier signal. Thus,
timer 74 produces a zero output and loss of signal indicator 44
remains unlit.
The output of amplifier 72 is further directed to NOT gate 88. The
output of NOT gate 88 is directed to a five second timer 90. Timer
90 measures the length of the carrier signal produced by monitored
unit B. During the time interval where no unmodulated carrier
signal is being transmitted NOT gate 88 receives a low input and in
turn provides a high output. The timer 90 is designed to activate
upon receipt of a low output. Thus, while no carrier signal is
produced, timer 90 is dormant. Upon receipt of the periodic
modulated signal transmitted by monitored unit B, NOT gate 88
generates a low output and thus triggers timer 90. During normal
operation, the timer 90 will reset before timing out since the
periodic signal is only transmitted for a period of one second.
During normal operation, the automatic gain control signal will be
greater than or equal to the preset signal and thus result in zero
or minimum output from comparator 84. Although the output from
amplifier 72 directed to a first input of AND gate 76 is high, the
second input of AND gate 76 from the output of comparator 84 is low
and will ensure that the child too far indicator 46 remains
unlit.
Finally, amplifier 106, during normal operation, will receive a
zero input resulting in no output. Therefore, alarm indicator 50
will remain unlit.
The monitoring unit C monitors the object wearing the monitored
unit B to determine whether several alert/alarm conditions are
present. These alert/alarm conditions include a first condition
where the object has travelled beyond a predetermined distance, a
second condition where the monitoring unit is no longer receiving a
signal from the monitored unit B, a third condition where the
monitored object has been immersed in water, a fourth condition
where the monitored unit B has been removed from the object, and a
fifth and final condition where the object manually activates an
alarm.
The operation of the monitoring apparatus A in the first condition
will be hereinafter discussed. When the object wearing the
monitored unit B has travelled a distance greater than a
predetermined distance the automatic gain control signal will be
less than the signal produced by the preset mechanism 85. Thus,
comparator 84 will produce a high output and direct it to the
second input of AND gate 76, AND gate 76 will produce an output
since the first input is high due to the signal of amplifier 72.
Indicator 46 will illuminate informing the operator that the
monitored object has exceeded a predetermined distance. Further,
the output of AND gate 76 is directed to OR gate 80 which will
generate an output to amplifier 82. The output of amplifier 82 will
activate alarm 64. Thus, the operator receives both visual and
audio alarms. The operator through switch 66 can deactivate audio
alarm 64. As previously mentioned, the value of the signal produced
by the preset mechanism can be varied, therefore, an attendant can
readily vary the range for his/her specific use.
The operator, upon observing the illumination of indicator 46 or
the activation of audio alarm 64, will activate reset transmitter
54 which will in turn transmit a signal from the monitoring unit C
to the monitored unit B.
The monitored unit B will receive the signal via receiver 6. The
reset transmitter signal will be directed to bistable multivibrator
28 and will cause the same to switch from low to high output &
vice versa. The high output from bistable multivibrator 28 will
result in OR gates 30 and 32 producing a continuous output. Thus,
transmitter 4 of monitored unit B will transmit a continuous signal
to the monitoring unit C. The continuous signal produced by the
monitored unit B will be directed through amplifier 72 to NOT gate
88. The continuous carrier signal 88 causes the output of NOT gate
88 to be low and thus activate timer 90. If the continuous signal
is generated for longer than five seconds, the timer 90 will time
out and generate a high output to a first input of OR gate 92. The
output of OR gate 92 will trigger indicator 94 informing the
operator that the monitoring unit is in the search mode.
Simultaneously, the output from OR gate 92 is directed through
amplifier 96 to search relay 98 thereby energizing the search relay
98. The search relay 98 couples directional antenna 58 to receiver
52. The automatic gain control signal is amplified through
inverting amplifier 100. The directional meter 60 readily enables
the operator to determine at which orientation the directional
antenna provides the highest or strongest output for a given
signal. Thus, the operator is readily able to determine the
direction in which to proceed to find the object wearing the
monitored unit B.
It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, that
the circuitry could be adapted to provide the operator with an
approximation of the distance between the monitored and monitoring
units.
The monitored unit is designed to produce an alarm signal when any
of the following alert conditions are present. These alert
conditions include: manual activation of an alarm by the person
being monitored, the monitored unit has been immersed in water, and
the monitored unit has been taken off the monitored object. Switch
8 senses whether something has attempted to remove the monitored
unit from the monitored object. Pressure switch 10 senses whether
the monitored object has been immersed in water and switch 12 is
the manual alarm. As explained earlier, upon opening of any of the
aforementioned switches, the transmitter 4 of the monitored unit B
broadcasts a continuous modulated signal to the monitoring unit C.
The modulated signal can be either AM or FM depending upon the
user's specific application. Receiver 52 receives the modulated
signal and directs it to the input of amplifier 106. The output of
amplifier 106 is directed to indicator 50 thereby illuminating the
same. This informs the operator that either the monitored object
has activated the manual alarm, the monitored unit has been
immersed in water, or someone has tried to remove the monitored
unit from the monitored object. The output of receiver 52 is
simultaneously directed to OR gate 92. The output of OR gate 92
energizes search relay 98 and thereby coupling directional antenna
58 to receiver 52. In this manner, the homing mechanism of the
monitoring unit C is automatically energized. Additionally, the
receiver 52 is connected to amplifier 108 which in turn triggers
audio alarm 64. An operator may deactivate the audio alarm 64 via
switch 68.
The frequencies of the signal transmitted by the transmitter 4 of
the monitored unit B must differ from the frequency of the signal
transmitted by transmitter 54 of monitoring unit C in order for
receivers 6 and 52 to receive the appropriate signal. The
particular frequencies should be chosen to comply with FCC
regulations. The preferable range of the monitoring apparatus A is
a quarter of a mile. It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill
in the art to vary the transmitters and receivers of monitoring
unit C and monitored unit B to increase or decrease the specific
range of the units as desired.
The present invention provides a novel apparatus for monitoring
persons, pets, things and the like. The present invention is able
to significantly reduce the drain on the power source by
transmitting a periodic signal as opposed to a continuous signal
while threshold conditions are present. However, the present
invention is readily adaptable to provide a continuous signal when
at least one of a plurality of alarm/alert conditions are present.
The continuous signal enables the homing mechanism of the
monitoring unit to readily determine the direction needed to travel
to locate the monitored object. Further, the monitoring apparatus
of the present invention is able to more precisely define the
activities of the monitored object which have led to the
alarm/alert conditions. This enables the operator to readily reduce
the possible areas of search and thus enable the operator to more
readily find the monitored object. Finally, the present invention
has developed a homing mechanism which is automatically actuated by
receipt of either a modulated alarm signal or a continuous carrier
signal produced by the monitored object.
While this invention has been described as having a preferred
design, it is understood that it is capable of further
modifications, uses, and/or adaptions of the invention following in
general the principal of the invention and including such
departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or
customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains such
as maybe applied the essential features set forth and fall within
the scope of the invention and of the limits of the appended
claims.
* * * * *